정보통신부문(Information and communications sector)

[서울]:한국개발연구원

Date

1989

Series Title; No

정책연구시리즈 / 88-18

Pages

58

Subject Country

South Korea(Asia and Pacific)

Language

Korean

File Type

Documents

Original Format

pdf

Subject

Economy < Trade

Holding

KDI; KDI School

Abstract

This study seeks to help the Korean government choose its position in the negotiations on the liberalization of the international trade of information and communications services. Information and communications services (ICSs) refer to the transmission of information and related activities using devices for storing and/or processing information and other related, peripheral devices. Various states around the world, including the United States, Japan, France, Germany and Brazil, impose control on the international trade of ICSs. These states possess ICS markets that are either monopolized or subjected to regulated competition. Almost no country in the world today, aside from the United States, Japan and England, seeks to introduce free competition into its ICS market. Without overcoming the strict regulatory environment worldwide, it will be nearly impossible to liberalize the trade of ICSs around the world.

ICSs therefore present particularly thorny issues in international trade negotiations because their liberalization requires countries to cooperate and create a new trade order that is centered on five principles. First, all the participating states must remove all of the barriers to the trade of highly advanced services in a non-discriminatory manner. Second, all the participating states must guarantee access to the exclusive networks and cables in a non-discriminatory manner. Third, all the participating states must allow service providers to resell exclusive networks and cables in a non-discriminatory manner. Fourth, all the participating states must charge the same fees for the use of exclusive networks and cables on all service providers in a non-discriminatory manner. Fifth, all the participating states must open up their exclusive networks and cables to the free international transmission of information in a non-discriminatory manner.

International trade negotiations on ICSs therefore inevitably entail the discussion of these five principles or rules, irrespective of which states are participating. The ICS industry in Korea has a relatively short history and small size. It remains backwards in both quantitative and qualitative senses. The Korean approach to the liberalization of ICS trade therefore should focus on maximizing the benefits for the Korean ICS industry and minimizing the losses thereof. Korean policymakers also need to get a good grasp on the strategies of advanced countries pushing for the liberalization of ICS trade and devise appropriate solutions and measures.